The assessment of the situation for holding polls in the sensitive state was made when Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta met the full Election Commission on October 10.

While two Election Commissioners were reportedly in favour of holding elections in the state, the CEC was understood to have some reservations on it.

Gopalaswami said the Commission had visited the state and held discussions with leaders of various political parties on the situation.

"We are still assessing the situation and will get back to you as soon as we take a decision," he said.

While major political parties in the state -- PDP and NC felt the current atmosphere was not conducive for the elections, BJP and the Left parties wanted immediate polls. The Congress said it was the Commission's call.

The term of the Assembly, which was dissolved following the break-up of the Congress-PDP coalition in the wake of the Amarnath land transfer row, would have ended on November 20.

But since the state was placed under Governor's rule, the elections have to be held before January 10.

The CEC said the polls in the five states would be conducted on the basis of delimited constituencies through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)

Poll schedule:

• Two-phased polls in assembly elections in Chattisgarh November 14 and 20.

• Polls will be held in Madhya Pradesh on November 25.

• Mizoram and Delhi to vote on November 29.

• No decision on Jammu and Kashmir yet.

• Assembly polls in Rajasthan on December 4.

... contd.